The Cross-Body Lead in Ballroom and Latin Dancing is a way for the man to change direction usually while both partners are doing a basic step. The Cross-Body Lead or CB Lead is accomplished by the man's firm upper body movement while he is doing a left turning step.
At these beginner levels all the MAN'S CBL's are performed in Closed Position in a quarter Left turn but there are many variations as you move up the levels.
NOTE: The woman's basic step DOES NOT CHANGE she just FOLLOWS the LEAD as she is moved FORWARD to change location.
These are the 5 CBL's I am teaching now to my Levels 3 & 4.
Rumba CBL:
Man: Left Turning Box Basic
Woman: Side Close Steps change to Forward Steps
Waltz CBL:
Man: Left Turning Box Basic (Alternate: With Forward Hesitation)
Woman: Side Close Steps change to Forward Steps
FoxTrot CBL:
Man: 1/4 Turn Basic
Woman: Side Close Steps change to Forward Steps
Mambo/Salsa CBL:
Man: Left Turning Basic
Woman: Side Step changes to Forward Step
Cha Cha CBL
Man: Left Turning Basic
Woman: Side Triple Step changes to Forward Triple Step (Chasse)
After the Man performs a left turning basic while 'leading' the woman to Cross his Body he leads from his Upper Body to move her back into a Closed 'Facing' Position and the Basic Step continues without interruption facing the other direction.
